Today we're finally going to meet Sister Theresia at Felsentor. She lives, according to the ideas of St. Francis of Assisi, amidst the Silence and Beauty of Nature and Animals.

Felsentor is located in central Switzerland on Lake Lucerne on Mt. Rigi at an altitude of 1,130 meters (3,707 feet) above sea level. Far from the hustle-bustle of everyday life, Felsentor is a 15-minute walk on a mountain path from the RigiBahn Romiti-Felsentor Station. 

We drive up to "Obersäntiberg" (860m) and begin the 1.6Km hike upto Felsentor (1130m) on a steep trail that leads through a pasture into a forest. The rocky trail continues past the tiny peaceful Holy-Cross Chapel "Heiligkreuzkapelle", a couple of waterfalls. Soon we have snow & icy patches on the trail.. I'm glad my feet are clad in the hiking shoes & not just sneakers. Just as we arrive at Felsentor, we see Sister Theresia and her dog "Sarina" coming towards us from Romiti Felsentor train station. She had been to Vitznau to run some errands.

The word "Felsentor" means stone gate and it comes from a monk who lived on the mountain a few hundred years ago. When the hunters came in search of animals, the monk called the animals into the protection of the stones and away from the hunters. Legend has it that the stone developed into the shape of a monk. Indeed, it does looks like a monk!

Sister Theresia is happy to see her friend Lukas. We sit by the fireplace at the Garden Restaurant, sipping Tea & Coffee. Sister Theresia and Lukas reminisce the good times when Lukas was part of the team at Felsentor. She offers us Organic Dark chocolate Bar... ummmmmm!!!! Swiss Alps, Sun, Snow, views down to Lake Lucerne, a Zendo saturated with Stillness.. and now Dark Chocolate.. Life just seems to be getting better by the minute...

Sister Theresia introduces us to the animals she loves and cares for. The three sheep Momo, Mathilda and Merlin; the three goats Jockeli, Chiara and Olga: the five pigs Anton, Francis, Samson, Clärchen and Robinchen; five roosters and fifty hens, three dogs, fourteen cats, ducks and geese. Some of the dogs and cats are in their twilight years needing a lot of attention and care. 

We could sit there forever talking to Sister Theresia, petting the animals. However, the Sun begins its journey back into the arms of lake Lucerne and so must we. We bid goodbye to Sister Theresia and start our way back to the hustle-bustle of daily life..